Rocket Science
by Clavish (featuring D-Block Europe)

Album: Rap Game Awful (2022)
Charted: 9
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • She-she wanna know why I still scream, "Free all my ni--as"
    It's not rocket science, they're still in the gulag


    The term "it's not rocket science" is generally used to express the simplicity of a task or statement. In contrast to the intellectually unchallenging matter alluded to, understanding the workings of a rocket demands a great deal of specialist knowledge and mental prowess. Clavish kicks off this song by referencing his dumb girl, who can't get her head around why he feels the authorities discriminate against his Black community.

    Throughout the rest of the song, Clavish delivers flows and punchlines about his girl and his life on the streets.
  • D-Block's Young Adz and Dirtbike LB provide chilly supporting verses. It marks the first time Clavish has featured another artist on one of his songs.
  • Kazza and Madz Thomas created the trap-wave instrumental. Kadz has worked with AJ Tracey ("Country Star"), Hardy Caprio ("Lucky Me Freestyle") and French The Kid ("Daily Duppy"), among others. "Rocket Science" is Madz Thomas' first major placement.
  • Clavish's frequent visual collaborator Toxic shot the video in Barcelona. It features cameos from both members of D-Block Europe.
  • "Rocket Science" leaked online ahead of its reveal. After it went viral on social media, Clavish released it as the fifth single from his debut mixtape Rap Game Awful. It debuted at #9 on the UK singles chart, giving the North London rapper his first top 10 hit. Of the 14,385 first-week sales for "Rocket Science," all but 48 came from streams.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.